Food sensitivity test: Is gluten bad for you?

Aira on February 8, 2023

 

Gluten is a kind of natural protein that can be found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. It is found in many common food and drinks such as dough, pasta, cereal, beer, and even some types of medicines. Too bad for you if you love pizza and carbonara and turns out you have gluten sensitivity. Even food without naturally occurring gluten can still be contaminated if they are processed in factories that also handle grains or otter food that contains gluten. 


Gluten acts like a binder, giving food a solid bond and that “stretchy” texture. For example, a dough without gluten cannot be kneaded and hand-tossed without a gluten substitute because it can easily rip apart. While a gluten-free diet may need extra planning and paying attention to nutritional labels, it is possible and millions of people have switched to it, even those without gluten sensitivity issues because of the supposed health benefits it can give you.

What is Gluten Sensitivity?

Gluten sensitivity, also sometimes known as non-Celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or gluten intolerance, is when you get sick after eating food or drinks that contain gluten. Symptoms of gluten sensitivity may range from occasionally passing gas to locking yourself up in the toilet for hours. These symptoms can manifest anytime from after eating the gluten-containing food up to several days. Signs of gluten sensitivity may include:

 

  • Gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome

  • Bloating and flatulence

  • Unexpected fatigue or brain fog

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Joint and muscle pain

  • Skin rashes or hives

Genetics and Gluten Sensitivity

Gluten sensitivity can be influenced by your DNA. Since gluten sensitivity is highly related to food allergies, we have analyzed genetic variants that are linked with allergenic reactions including the varied HLA and MYO9B genes.

Benefits of trying out a food sensitivity test

Doing genetic testing with LifeDNA for personalized nutrition can tell you what your gluten needs (or lack thereof) and you can start from there.  A comprehensive nutritional genetic testing on your gluten sensitivities may help with managing your symptoms, identifying potential gluten triggers and avoiding them, as well as reducing your risk of adverse reactions to gluten-containing food and beverages.

LifeDNA can provide a full and comprehensive Nutritional Report that includes gluten sensitivities, food allergies, vitamin deficiencies, and other health factors based on your personalized nutrition test

 

What causes gluten sensitivity?

Gluten sensitivity is not to be confused with gluten allergy. Simply speaking, food sensitivities or intolerances affect the digestive system while food allergies are triggered by the immune system. Gluten sensitivity is more common than you might think and affects people of all ages. Some people are born with gluten sensitivity while others develop them with age. 

Diagnosing Gluten Sensitivity

To diagnose gluten sensitivity, your primary care physician may ask you to go on a gluten-free diet for a certain period of time, usually for more or less six weeks to rule out Celiac disease or wheat allergies. They might also perform blood tests and skin tests. The former is to see how your immune system will react to wheat proteins and the former is a prick test of wheat protein on an area of your skin for adverse reactions.

Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Sensitivity

Gluten sensitivity vs. Celiac disease has long been lumped together because of the similar symptoms they cause. The two, however, are two different conditions. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition caused by an abnormal gene wherein the body’s response to gluten is to treat it as if it were an invading virus. With this condition, your tissues eat at your gut (small intestines) whenever you ingest gluten, causing much inflammation and damage to your digestive tract.   

While gluten sensitivity can become uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful, it is generally considered a less serious condition compared to Celiac disease. Gluten sensitivity also isn’t caused by abnormal genes, although they can be genetic. 

Can gluten sensitivity cause hair loss?

Gluten doesn’t directly cause hair loss but there are studies that show gluten can influence hair loss. Celiac disease has hair loss listed as a symptom and because gluten is related to this condition, gluten might aggravate the hair loss situation, especially if you have been diagnosed with Celiac disease. 

Can gluten sensitivity cause acne?

While gluten’s relation to Celiac disease can be linked to several skin conditions, there is no scientific evidence that gluten can cause acne. No studies have shown that gluten triggers acne either so you might want to go easy on the spot treatment after eating a burger for dinner. 

 

Plus, did you know that acne can also be influenced by your DNA? Some people are more likely to develop severe acne as compared to others.

If you’d like to discover insights into your skincare and nutrition based on DNA, order your DNA kit today to get started.

Managing gluten sensitivity via genetic testing for nutritional needs

Genetic testing for gluten sensitivity can help you prepare and manage your symptoms effectively. LifeDNA can give you a comprehensive Nutritional Report that includes gluten sensitivities and tolerance levels. LifeDNA’s diet and health pack include a full Nutrition Report with every health pack subscription. This bundle includes 40 unique trait reports including:

  • Gluten Sensitivity

  • Sodium Sensitivity

  • Carbohydrate metabolism 

  • Saturated fat metabolism

  • Vegetable consumption

  • Sensitivity to bitter foods

  • Antioxidant Status

  • …and a whole lot more!

 

While gluten sensitivity is fairly common, your symptoms still may vary. Knowing the gravity of your gluten sensitivity via genetic testing for nutrition will not only help you manage your condition but also live a life free from the uncomfortable results of indulging in gluten-heavy meals. Always remember to check with your primary care physician before making any major changes in your diet or if you suspect you have severe gluten sensitivities.

 

If you’re ready to discover your gluten sensitivity based on DNA, get LifeDNA’s most powerful Nutrition Report today.

 

*Understanding your genetics can offer valuable insights into your well-being, but it is not deterministic. Your traits can be influenced by the complex interplay involving nature, lifestyle, family history, and others.

Our reports have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents on our website and our reports are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to diagnose any medical condition, replace the advice of a healthcare professional, or provide any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any major lifestyle changes or if you have any other concerns about your results. The testimonials featured may have used more than one LifeDNA or LifeDNA vendors’ product or reports.

Lactose: Food tolerance testing based on DNA

Aira on February 3, 2023

How many people do you know can’t drink milk or anything with dairy in it because it “doesn’t agree with them”? While the effects of lactose may vary from person to person, they can all agree that lactose intolerance can be uncomfortable, if not downright painful. Nowadays, nutritional genetic testing lets you know if your DNA is more likely to make you lactose intolerant.

What is Lactose Tolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body is unable to fully digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk byproducts. This is due to the lack of an enzyme called lactase in the small intestine. As a result of this malabsorption, consuming dairy may cause bloating, gassiness, and diarrhea.

 

Some people who are lactose intolerant can still consume dairy products in small amounts while others need to completely eliminate lactose from their diet. It all depends on how badly the symptoms manifest for an individual and what their healthcare provider says about it.

 

Some tests can be done to determine if you are lactose intolerant. The hydrogen breath test and the lactose intolerance test are two of the most common methods used by healthcare professionals to determine if an individual has this condition. 

 

The hydrogen breath test is done by making an individual drink a liquid with plenty of lactose and then measuring the hydrogen levels in their breath afterward. Too much hydrogen means you are lactose intolerant. 

 

The lactose intolerance test makes you drink a liquid with high levels of lactose and then your blood will be drawn two hours later to see if glucose levels rose. If glucose remains the same, this means your body is not digesting the lactose in the liquid and you are intolerant.

Top 7 FAQs About Lactose Intolerance

Today, we’re answering your most frequently asked questions about lactose intolerance. 

Does genetics affect lactose intolerance?

Yes, lactose intolerance can be influenced by your DNA. For people who consume dairy with genetic lactose sensitivity, there may be excess gas, pain, and other digestive problems. One of the genes we analyze for your lactose tolerance is your MCM6 gene. Discover your genetic likelihood of lactose intolerance today based on DNA with our LifeDNA Nutrition Report.

 

Who is most likely to have lactose intolerance?

While children and younger adults are less likely to be lactose intolerant, they can still develop the condition at a later age. Some health experts even view lactose intolerance as a natural condition of the human body rather than a serious condition that needs to be treated. Apart from age, ethnic background may also be a factor for individuals with lactose intolerance. 

How long does lactose intolerance last?

Symptoms of lactose intolerance usually manifest anytime between 30 minutes to 2 hours after an individual has consumed dairy. They can last for up to 48 hours depending on how much dairy was consumed.

Does lactose intolerance cause constipation?

Apart from the typical symptoms of bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, a good number of cases of lactose intolerance also has constipation as a symptom. This particular symptom can also be as uncomfortable and painful as diarrhea.

What happens if you ignore lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is usually harmless if the symptoms that manifest are only mild to moderate. Some people have symptoms that are mild enough to be ignored, thus, they continue to consume dairy in moderate amounts. Lactose symptoms can vary in severity but if you suspect that you have severe digestive problems, contact your primary care physician immediately.

Can you reverse lactose intolerance?

If lactose intolerance is caused by an underlying condition, getting treatment for the pre-existing disease might help alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance, if not completely restore the body’s ability to digest the enzyme. However, if lactose intolerance is caused by the lack of lactase, there is not much an individual can do except manage their symptoms and avoid dairy.

Does lactose intolerance get worse with age?

It is not uncommon for people to suddenly develop lactose intolerance. This condition can either be primary and congenital or secondary and developmental. The former is hereditary and passed down via genetics while the latter is caused by decreased lactase in the body. Secondary lactose intolerance can occur at any age but is more likely to occur at a later age.

Can stress cause lactose intolerance?

Researchers have long found a link between gastric and digestive problems with mental and psychological issues. According to these experts, stomach problems may have little to do with what an individual has consumed and more with anxiety, stress, depression, and other psychological conditions. 

 

Discover your body’s lactose tolerance levels and get genetic testing for personalized nutrition today with LifeDNA’s most updated and detailed nutrition reports.

LifeDNA’s Genetic Testing for Food Intolerance

LifeDNA offers a non-invasive test for food tolerance testing. This genetic testing is done via a saliva sample and analyzed by the best scientific labs. 

We also offer a DNA upload option to make it easier for people who have already taken a test to optimize their wellness with LifeDNA. 

Using the latest research for the most accurate results, LifeDNA’s  Nutrition Report will tell you about your body’s response to certain foods based on DNA. This includes your potential food sensitivities, allergies, and intolerances.

How to Manage Lactose Intolerance

A lactose-free diet is not as restrictive as it sounds. Fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, soy products, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats can still be fully enjoyed by lactose-intolerant individuals. Just a precaution, be sure to consult with your doctor first before making any major changes in your diet. Additionally, be extra careful when consuming dairy and dairy-based products. Try the elimination diet and slowly reintroduce dairy products in small amounts into your diet and see how much is too much and what moderate means. You can also find dairy alternatives such as plant-based products and byproducts. Thinking about doing genetic analysis to discover what foods work best for you and your unique body? Try LifeDNA today.

*Understanding your genetics can offer valuable insights into your well-being, but it is not deterministic. Your traits can be influenced by the complex interplay involving nature, lifestyle, family history, and others.

Our reports have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents on our website and our reports are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to diagnose any medical condition, replace the advice of a healthcare professional, or provide any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any major lifestyle changes or if you have any other concerns about your results. The testimonials featured may have used more than one LifeDNA or LifeDNA vendors’ product or reports.